At a Glance
- Tasks: Diagnose and repair onboard systems, ensuring smooth train operations.
- Company: Join Northern, a leading railway operator committed to innovation and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, and tailored training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on safety and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a new facility, shaping the future of rail engineering.
- Qualifications: Apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in engineering; experience with IT and OT systems.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
We keep the railway moving 24/7, expected shifts would be days, nights, weekend working. Modern trains rely on more than engineering alone. Behind every smooth journey is a network of onboard systems constantly communicating, monitoring and responding in real time. As part of the engineering team at Northern, you’d be the person making sense of it all. This role puts you at the centre of fault finding, system performance and continuous improvement combining hands-on technical work with data-led insight. When something isn’t working as it should, you’ll be the one who gets to the root of the problem and helps put it right, keeping services running and passengers moving.
Be Part of Something New
Shipley TrainCare Centre is a brand-new facility, giving you the opportunity to help build the standards, culture and ways of working from the very start. In this role, you’ll support the day to day running of the facility while helping to create a professional, safe and high performing team environment. This means:
- Supporting the delivery of clear standards and expectations from day one
- Leading by example to build the right behaviours and ways of working
- Embedding safety, quality and continuous improvement into everything we do
- Promoting a positive, people focused culture where everyone feels supported to do their best.
Our ambition is clear: for Shipley to become a benchmark TrainCare Centre, recognised for engineering excellence, operational safety and a culture where people feel valued, supported and able to build long term careers.
Your Future, Built Here
At Northern, we’re committed to developing our workforce, and that commitment is amplified at Shipley. As we grow this new facility, we’re also growing the skills, capabilities and progression pathways of the people who join us. Whether your ambition is technical, leadership or specialist expertise, Shipley offers the chance to build a long, rewarding future in a modern, forward thinking engineering environment.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll work across a mix of practical fault resolution, system analysis and collaboration helping to keep the fleet performing at its best:
- Diagnose, maintain and repair onboard systems across the fleet, covering both mechanical, electrical, and software elements
- Respond to faults at the TrainCare Centre or in service, helping return trains to operation with minimal disruption
- Work independently while following clear governance and safety standards
- Analyse system data to spot trends and recurring issues
- Develop and implement solutions to improve reliability and reduce repeat faults
- Support contingency planning to keep services moving when challenges arise
- Capturing and sharing technical knowledge, including repairs, modifications and lessons learned
- Support and mentor colleagues, helping build technical capability across teams
- Act as a technical point of contact for engineers, operators and managers
- Collaborating with operational teams, maintenance colleagues and external partners
- Provide technical insights and recommendations to support decision-making and future planning
- Driving continuous improvement, supporting the development of processes and system performance
- Ensure all work is carried out safely, accurately recorded and signed off
- Consistently promoting safe working practices and high standards across all activities
- Contributing to facility meetings, providing technical insight, updates and recommendations to support decision making and performance improvement
About you
You’re someone who enjoys solving problems that don’t have obvious answers. You can connect the dots between systems, data and real-world performance and you’re comfortable taking ownership when it matters. Technical know-how, curiosity and collaboration – that’s what you’ll bring:
- A recognised apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in an engineering discipline
- Experience working with IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) systems in a service or support environment
- Strong analytical skills, with confidence using databases, operating systems and diagnostic tools
- Experience in, or alongside, a rail environment with an understanding of railway operations
You’ll also be someone who:
- Enjoys getting to the root of complex issues and finding practical fixes
- Communicates clearly with a wide range of people
- Takes ownership of your work while supporting and developing others
- Works collaboratively and contributes to wider facility performance, not just individual tasks
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board. At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview. We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment. No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob there’s a place for you here in the railway.
Systems Technician in Shipley employer: Northern Trains
At Northern, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, especially at our new Shipley TrainCare Centre, where you can help shape a culture of excellence and safety from the ground up. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including unlimited free travel and a robust pension scheme, and a collaborative work environment that values every team member, we offer a rewarding career path in a forward-thinking engineering setting. Join us in making a meaningful impact on rail travel while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Technician in Shipley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Northern through LinkedIn or industry events. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills and knowledge of railway systems. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to fault finding and system performance improvements.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for continuous improvement! During interviews, share examples of how you've identified issues and implemented solutions in past roles. This will demonstrate your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Northern team.
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Technician in Shipley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Skills:Make sure to highlight your technical know-how in your application. We want to see your experience with IT and OT systems, as well as any relevant qualifications like an apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experiences and how they relate to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of what you can bring to the team.
Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills:We love candidates who enjoy tackling complex issues! Share examples of how you've diagnosed problems and implemented solutions in past roles. This will show us that you're ready to take ownership and contribute to our continuous improvement efforts.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Northern.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Trains
✨Know Your Systems
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of onboard systems, both mechanical and software. Be ready to discuss how you’ve diagnosed and repaired faults in the past, as this will show your hands-on experience and technical know-how.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex issues you've resolved in previous roles. Highlight your analytical skills and how you used data to identify trends or recurring problems. This will demonstrate your ability to connect the dots between systems and real-world performance.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Northern values a positive, people-focused culture. Be prepared to talk about how you've worked collaboratively with others in the past, whether it’s mentoring colleagues or contributing to team performance. Show that you can communicate clearly with a wide range of people.
✨Safety First
Familiarise yourself with safety standards and governance relevant to the railway industry. During the interview, express your commitment to promoting safe working practices and how you’ve embedded safety into your previous roles. This will align with Northern's focus on operational safety.
